Bielsa stays on as Bilbao coach

09 July 2012 07:17

Athletic Bilbao's coach Marcelo Bielsa said Monday he is staying with the club despite earlier reports he was considering resigning in a row with the board.

"I can continue carrying out my work as I have done up to now," he said in an online statement widely published by Spanish sports media. "I maintain the commitment that I made to the club."

The Argentine coach publicly fell out with the club's management last week when he criticised construction work on its new training centre, prompting the board to publish a statement distancing itself from his claims.

Bielsa held a meeting with the management on Friday, giving rise to rumours he would resign, but he showed up for team training on Monday as usual. He said in his statement he stood by his criticisms.

Bielsa, former national coach of Argentina and Chile, led Athletic to last season's Europa League final and Spanish Cup final and extended his contract with the side last month until June 2013.